Understanding Exhaust Systems, Their Types And Legalities In India

Exhaust, bikers and the neighbourhood share a love-hate triangle relationship. If you are a true bike enthusiast, you must know the feel of exhaust notes and if you have a performance exhaust, then you must witness an unpleasant scene every morning between you and your sleepy neighbourhood.

The moment your exhaust starts spitting flames like a dragon, people from your society may object. But are they wrong? The answer to this question lies in the usability of your exhaust system. If you are using a cheap-quality exhaust just to play bassy music on your silencer, then they are right—you have no right to damage the environment. However, if you are using an exhaust system to improve the performance of your motorcycle registered with the local RTO, you have something to fight for.

Between right and wrong, there are so many emotions attached to a motorcycle’s exhaust notes. The exhaust system, while often overlooked, is more than just a pipe for venting fumes. It’s a beast that can make or break the personality of your vehicle. From the deep growls of performance exhausts to the barely-there hum of factory models, exhausts play a key role in a vehicle’s character.

But here’s the catch: in India, not every roaring beast is legal. The Motor Vehicles Act, along with strict emission norms and noise regulations, keeps modifications behind the curtains.

Exhaust systems come in various types. Based on the design of the exhaust systems.

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Types of exhausts

Stock Exhaust: These exhausts are installed by the manufacturer at the time of motorcycle assembly. They are designed to balance performance, emissions and noise control.

Cat-Back Exhaust: The Cat-back exhaust refers to the “back” of the catalytic converter. In simple terms, it replaces the components after the catalytic converter. These exhaust systems improve performance and sound without changing the emission rate.

Axle-Back Exhaust: It almost works like the Cat-back system but only replaces parts near the rear axle, offering modest performance gains.

Header-Back Exhaust: This includes a complete overhaul from the headers to the tailpipe, providing maximum performance and sound enhancement.

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Exhaust systems can also be categorised based on installation methods. Some people change the whole exhaust system, some only replace the last part and some cut their silencer to fix a permanent pipe.

Slip-On Exhausts: Slip-on exhausts include only an end silencer and some mounts to fix it with the bend pipe. These exhausts are usually installed on the stock pipe of the motorcycle and are mostly made of titanium or stainless steel. In some cases, you need to cut the original exhaust pipe to install them. These exhausts are cheaper than a full exhaust system and are mostly for looks and sound.

Full-System Exhausts: These are one of the best options if you are looking to enhance your motorcycle's performance. These exhausts are lightweight, reducing the overall kerb weight of the motorcycle. They also produce better sound than slip-on exhausts. Full-system exhausts fit tighter than slip-on and are better for engine health and mileage.

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Important parts of the exhaust system:

Silencer: It is the final part of the exhaust system. Stock silencers are used to reduce the sound generated by the engine. For some riders, a good-looking exhaust enhances the motorcycle's overall aesthetic.

DB Killer: It reduces the sound coming out of the silencer. Nowadays, some exhausts come with removable DB Killers. Electronically adjustable DB Killers are also available in the market. They reduce noise by redirecting it toward the interior of the silencer.

Lambda Sensor: This sensor measures the concentration of oxygen in exhaust gases so that the engine can adjust the mixture of gasoline and air it sends.

Catalyser: The catalyser is an element that reduces the polluting gases emitted into the environment. When you test the pollution of your motorcycle, a healthy catalyser plays an important role in providing the white chit to your vehicle.

The Legal Scene in the Indian Market:

In India, exhaust modifications are subject to stringent rules under the Motor Vehicles Act. Any type of alteration to the original exhaust or internal bypass changes is completely illegal. However, some people use DB Killers to reduce the noise, which is also an illegal practice. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) sets noise limits while the Bharat Stage (BS) norms regulate emissions.

Any exhaust that makes a sound louder than 80 dB is illegal because it causes noise pollution and aftermarket exhausts often do not comply with air filter rules as per BS6 norms.

The fine for altered exhaust in Delhi is INR 10,000. This is why the government does not allow any modification to the exhaust system. However, riders can still change stock exhausts if their RTO approves it.

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